Relevance of improved reporting for non-pharmacological interventions in clinical trials: Bridging research to clinical practice

WHAT IS KNOWN: Accurate description and fidelity of non-pharmacological interventions are critical to translating research findings into clinical practice. The lack of such detailed reporting undermines the essential and stable connection between research and clinical practice. WHAT SHOULD BE KNOWN: The aim of the current masterclass is to discuss how to improve the quality of reporting and reproducibility in non-pharmacological interventions. WHAT SHOULD CHANGE: Enhance the quality requirements for describing non-pharmacological interventions in the prospective registration of clinical trials. Mandate the use of the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) and Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT) checklists, and of fidelity evaluation for all clinical trials involving non-pharmacological interventions. These requirements should extend from clinical trial registration through subsequent publications, including grant applications, protocols, abstracts, and preprints. Ensure that systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines apply not only general methodological criteria but also intervention-specific criteria and context for non-pharmacological interventions, respectively, to guarantee reproducibility and achieve expected outcomes. WHAT TO EXPECT: In the short term, improving the description and traceability of non-pharmacological interventions may encounter resistance to change. However, greater rigor should not be avoided, even if it results in a temporary reduction in the volume of available scientific evidence. Ultimately, prioritizing quality over quantity in healthcare research may lead to more meaningful and impactful advancements in clinical practice.